Partner Clare Milne at Girlings Personal Injury Claims was instructed to act on behalf of the estate of a deceased female who, on 25th October 2018, presented to the Emergency Department at the Darenth Valley Hospital with a headache which had been ongoing since 22nd October 2018. The differential diagnosis included a possible subarachnoid haemorrhage (bleeding on the brain) or tension headache. A CT scan was arranged. Unfortunately, the CT brain scan was negligently reported as showing no haemorrhage. As a consequence, the Deceased was discharged from hospital having received no treatment. She was then readmitted to hospital on 26th October 2018 and, although her CT scan report from 25th October 2018 was reviewed, the scan was not repeated.
The Deceased was again reviewed by the Neurology Consultant on 29th October 2018 where signs of possible raised intracranial pressure were noted. Tragically, the Deceased was found in a state of collapse on 30th October 2018 and a repeat CT brain scan showed extensive subarachnoid haemorrhage and acute hydrocephalus (water on the brain).
The Deceased was referred to the neurosurgical team for treatment. However, despite ongoing treatment for several months, the Deceased sadly passed away on 4th April 2019.
The Defendant admitted negligence in relation to the mistakenly reported CT brain scan performed on 25th October 2018. But for this negligence, it was admitted that the Deceased would have survived.
The Deceased’s family brought a claim against Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust. Following successful negotiations at a formal settlement meeting, the claim settled for the sum of £275,000.